I-Corps: A New Multi-DOF Reduced-Gravity Simulation Technology for Aerospace and Healthcare Applications

宇航员必须在模拟微重力或减轻重力的环境中进行广泛的太空行走任务训练，然后才能在太空中执行任务。目前用于这种培训的技术要么极其昂贵（例如，中性浮力和抛物线飞行技术）或低模拟保真度（例如，基于电缆的悬挂技术）。因此，航天工业需要低成本、高逼真度、安全运行的新型减重力技术，以满足未来载人航天探测任务的需要。此外，数百万因受伤、中风或其他疾病而失去行动能力的患者也需要减轻重力的模拟技术（作为体重减轻装置）来支持他们恢复运动和行动功能的康复。目前用于这种目的的装置要么非常昂贵（例如基于机器人的康复装置），要么限制了太多的移动性（例如，基于线缆的悬挂装置）。因此，医疗行业需要低成本和灵巧的体重减轻装置来更好地进行康复。 本项目旨在加快一种新型、被动、灵巧的减重物理模拟技术及其原型装置的商业化进程，该减重模拟技术和装置基于基于弹簧被动平衡技术开发，可补偿自身重量和任何所需百分比（从0%到100%）的重量，使得人在行走或进行一些其他体育锻炼时，从生物力学上讲，他或她会感觉自己处于微重力或失重环境中，例如在轨道航天器或月球，火星或其他行星上。该机构的设计考虑到了人体四肢和关节的自然多向活动性，因此，连接到该装置的人将感到不受限制和舒适。此外，由于该设备在操作中是被动的（即，没有动力或驱动），它本质上是安全的、便宜的并且易于维护。这些对于设备的用户来说是吸引人的优点。在建议的项目结束时，I-Corps团队将清楚地了解市场特定的需求，满足市场/客户需求的新设计要求，以及如何将新技术转化为真实的产品的可实施计划。

Astronauts must go through extensive training of their space-walk tasks in a simulated micro- or reduced-gravity environment before they can perform the tasks in space. The currently used technologies for such training are either extremely expensive (e.g., the neutral buoyancy and parabolic flight technologies) or of low simulation fidelity (e.g., the cable-based suspension technology). Therefore, new reduced-gravity technologies of low-cost, high fidelity, and safe operation are needed in space industry to meet the future manned space exploration missions. Additionally, millions of patients who have lost mobility capabilities due to injury, stroke or other diseases also need reduced-gravity simulation technology (as body-weight offloading devices) to support their rehabilitation for restoring locomotion and mobility functions. Currently used devices for such a purpose are either very expensive (such as the robotics-based rehabilitation devices) or of constraining too much mobility (e.g., cable-based suspension devices). Therefore, low-cost and dexterous body-weight offloading devices are needed for better rehabilitation in healthcare industry. This project aims at speeding up the process of commercializing a new, passive and dexterous reduced-gravity physical simulation technology and its prototype device.Developed based on a spring-based passive balancing technique, the proposed reduced-gravity simulation technology and device can compensate its own weight and any desired percentile (from 0% to 100%) of the weight of a person attached to the device, such that the person, while walking or doing some other physical exercises, will biomechanically feel like he or she were in a microgravity or reduced-gravity environment such as in an orbiting spacecraft or on the Moon, Mars or another planet. The design of the mechanism takes into account of the natural multi-directional mobility of human limbs and joints so that a person attached to the device will feel unrestricted and comfortable. Further, since the device is passive in operation (i.e., not powered or actuated), it is intrinsically safe, inexpensive and easy to maintain. These are appealing advantages for the users of the device. At the end of the proposed project, the I-Corps team will have a clear understanding of the market-specific needs, new design requirements for addressing the market/customer needs, and an implementable plan of how to transit the new technology into real products.